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English 10 Pre AP
Mrs. Yeaton P3
15 November 2017
Throughout the classic novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne known as “The Scarlet
Letter”, contradicting patterns of description are used to identify Hester Prynne’s daughter Pearl.
During the historical fiction piece, Pearl is illustrated as both angel and demon within a span of
one chapter. Hester’s interpretations of the child create purpose and symbolic relevance which
The goodness Pearl symbolizes has a powerful paradox with evil and is an important
aspect and necessary for the mass of literature. In the second paragraph of the novel, Hawthorne
writes, “In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would poorly serve
to hide an other, she took the baby on her arm, with a burning blush” which states that, due to the
scarlet letters beauty, Pearl is revealed to the masses rather than concealed due to interpretation
of goodness (Hawthorne 46). Pearls creation, due to adultery, placed a burden upon her mother
allowing her to be shamed by the public with a scarlet letter “A” placed on her bosom. As Pearl
is a symbol of adultery, she is represented as “beautiful” as the the scarlet letter is.
During the novel's chapter dedicated to Pearl, chapter 6 hence the title, Hawthorne uses a
biblical allusion to describe her pureness as well as goodness; “By its perfect shape, its vigor,
and its natural dexterity in the use of untried limbs, the infant was worthy to have been brought
forth in Eden; worthy to have been left there to play with the angels”(Hawthorne 74). This
allusion glorifies how pure Pearls soul is as a small child employing references to the
harmonious “Eden”. As she was created by sinful actions, it is ironic that Hawthorne would paint
this figure in such a positive way. Pearls positive image that due to the scarlet letter has given her
a worthy play date with the angels which characterizes her despite contradictory opposing factors
Although Pearl is described as a saint by the narrator of the novel, in the same chapter she
is worthy of being brought from Eden, she is also “demon offspring”. Hawthorne writes “...some
of her odd attributes, had given it that poor little pearl was a demon offspring” to show how
pearls strange actions such as the ability to hold a conversation at a very young age as well as
witch craft like activities reveal devilish character in her (Hawthorne 81). Other demonic rituals
the young girl has performed include chanting about how the “Black man”, Satan, will catch
Hester and reverend Dimmesdale for their sins and dancing upon graves which completely
contradicts Hawthorne's statement as the the start of chapter six and also builds her character.
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s work includes various subliminal and direct interpretations of the
main character Hester’s daughter Pearl. Characterization of this character was created by the
diction, imagery, figurative language Hawthorne spreads throughout the novel as well as the
author’s tone.